WEBVTT PATTY: THE TURNPIKE APPLAUDINGTHE COURT RULING.MANY OF THE PROJECTS ON HOLDPENDING THE RULING.NOW THAT IT IS CLEAR, THEY WILLBE READY TO GO SHORTLY AFTER THEHOLIDAYS.THE STATE SUPREME COURTVALIDATING THE OTA'S $480MILLION BOND PLAN FOR NEWCONSTRUCTION.THIS CLEARS THE PATH FORDEMOLITION OF HOUSES IN EASTERNOKLAHOMA COUNTY WHERE A 21 MILETURNPIKE EXTENSION WILL BEBUILT. AS WELL AS RATE HIKES FOR PIKEUSERS.>> BOTTOM LINE THING -- BOTTOMLINE, I THINK IS COME UNLESSSOMETHING HAPPENS, THE OTA ISFREE TO GO FORWARD.PATTY: ATTORNEY ERIC GROVES,REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE IMPACTEDBY EMINENT DOMAIN WITH THE NEWCONSTRUCTION.THE GROUP SUPPORTED THE LAWSUITBY ATTORNEY JERRY FENT.>> THERE HAVE BEEN TWO LAWSUITSBROUGHT BY FENT.BOTH HAVE LOST.PATTY: FENT COULD NOT BE REACHEDFOR COMMENT.HE SAYS THERE IS AN ARGUMENT TOBE MADE THAT THE TURNPIKE ISUNNECESSARY BUT PROVING THATWOULD BE FINANCIALLY

An attorney representing homeowners affected by the construction of a new turnpike extension in eastern Oklahoma County said the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has been cleared to move forward with its plans.

This month, the State Supreme Court ruled in favor of a $480 million bond plan for the new construction. This cleared the path for homes to be acquired and demolished near Luther and Will Rogers World Airport, where two turnpike paths are planned.

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Attorney Eric Groves represents the Victims of Eminent Domain. The group was made up by homeowners in eastern Oklahoma County. They joined in support of one of two lawsuits filed by Jerry Fent against the OTA.

“There have been two lawsuits brought by Fent, both were lost,” Groves said.

Groves believes an argument could be made before the court that the turnpike is unnecessary, but it would be financially challenging for anyone to fund it.

“Bottom line is unless something happens, the OTA is free to go forward,” Groves said.

An OTA spokesperson said plans are on hold until after the holidays. Toll increases will be implemented in February of 2017 to support the bond.

Here is their official statement:

"The core mission of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is to make sure that turnpike travelers have a safe and efficient means of transportation. Our commitment is to provide safe roadways that help to meet the needs of all Oklahomans. We appreciate the work of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the timely decision. We will begin to put into place a detailed bond financing plan so we can continue with the delivery of Governor Fallin’s Driving Forward program. These important transportation investments will provide relief opportunities for rapidly developing congestion in the metropolitan areas of Tulsa and Oklahoma City, modernize additional segments of the turnpike network and create a safer overall travel experience for the future of our state. It is the anticipation of The Authority to be in the bond market by mid-January."